Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Location: Anchorage, AK
Accident Number: ANC21FA028
Date & Time: March 29, 2021, 16:00 Local
Registration: N1968P
Aircraft: Piper PA-18A
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 28, 2021, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18A, N1968P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that the flight originated in Willow, Alaska, with an intended destination of the Lake Hood Airport (LHD) Anchorage, Alaska. He departed Willow with about 18 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane, had selected the left fuel tank for takeoff, and switched to the right fuel tank after the airplane was established in cruise flight. Nearing LHD, about “mid channel”, he switched the fuel tank selector back to the left fuel tank for landing and applied the carburetor heat. He added that, the traffic he was following to land at LHD was asked to extend their landing for additional traffic and requested a long landing. He subsequently slowed the airplane to approach speed for spacing and applied half flaps.
As the pilot was starting his final approach to land, the engine began to lose power, followed by a total loss of engine power. In an attempt to restore engine power, he switched the fuel tank selector back to the right fuel tank and turned off the carburetor heat. Unable to clear the obstacles on the approach end of LHD, he turned the airplane left (south) and subsequently selected a city street as a forced landing site. He then applied full flaps and declared an emergency. During the emergency landing, the left wing struck a light pole and the airplane spun to the left before impacting the ground in a nose down attitude. When the airplane came to a stop the pilot stated there was gas “pouring out of something” behind him. He then moved the fuel selector to the OFF position and exited the airplane without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-A2D engine rated at 160 HP. The wreckage has been recovered and a detailed examination is pending.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N1968P
Model/Series: PA-18A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: PALH,90 ft msl
Observation Time: 15:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: -1°C /-9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point: Willow, AK (UUO)
Destination: Anchorage, AK
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 61.176084,-149.94358 (est)
One person suffered minor injuries in the crash, police said. The plane, outfitted with skis for landing on snow, sustained damage to its engine and wing, and was grounded on a sidewalk in front of the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
The National Safety Transportation Board was on-site investigating the crash.
“All we know right now is very preliminary,” said Clint Johnson, chief of the NSTB, who was at the site of the crash on Sunday evening.
“The pilot did report that he had an in-flight emergency. He had a loss of engine power, and he made a forced landing on the road,” Johnson said.
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